Florida Gulf Coast University is a state-operated comprehensive university in Southwestern Florida. In consists of four campuses, including the main campus in Fort Myers, and three satellite campuses located in Naples, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda. Part of the main campus in Fort Myers is designated as a nature preserve.

The school gained national publicity in 2013 when its men's basketball team, a #15 seed in the NCAA Tournament, defeated #2 Georgetown and then #7 San Diego State to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, the lowest-seeded team ever to do so.